Anyone who loves discovering the mysterious world underwater and cherishes the experience of unfathomable depths, knows how easy it is to forget time when in the deep blue. A wise diver, however, also knows that this can be very dangerous and hence always keeps track of the elapsed minutes that have passed since the dive commenced. This important information thus must always be clearly visible on a watch that is to be a reliable diving companion.

Essence of time

Favre-Leuba recognized the need for such clarity of information and a simplified technology in a world that can overpower the senses. Above all when diving for professional or recreational objectives, distractions are the last thing a diver should worry about. The engineers hence designed a purpose-built and brilliantly functional watch, which focusses on only the essentials, by making the important minutes much easier and precise to read, and thus ensures that the diver does not mistaken the passing minute with the possibility of having read the hour hand instead – in every situation and under every condition.

For the Raider Harpoon, the standard form of time indication has been completely rethought, and everything unnecessary has been omitted. The result is further proof of the values such as defiance, ingenuity and the pioneering spirit, that have defined the brand for over the rich 280 years – a diving watch that proves its worth with just one hand!

Only one hand is rotating as usual in front of the dial with its bold indexes and indicates the passing minutes. Combined with this hand, the 20-minute scale on the unidirectional rotating bezel proves to be a good reminder of the remaining dive time. This feature ensures greater safety, while one is enjoying underwater adventures and being allured by nature at its best. After all, if the diver does not stay under water for longer than 20 minutes, he or she can resurface without observing decompress­sion times.

Patented mechanism for the hour indication

When the day to conquer frontiers requires the wearer to learn of the passing hour, a specially constructed and patented mechanism allows him or her to observe this with the help of a rotating luminous ring that bears large Arabic numerals. The ingenuity of this hour indicator is that its rotational speed is adjusted such that the numbers return to their starting point after exactly twelve hours.

All that one hence needs to do is observe the only hand of the watch, that also points to the appro­priate hour on the co-rotating ring. The interplay of hand and ring makes it delightfully easy to read the time. For example, if it is 14:15, the minute hand will point towards 3 o’clock on the bezel, as usual, and will lie in between numeral 2 and 3 on the hour ring. 

Needless to say, the striking minute hand designed with a bold and irregular hexagon and the cons­picuous applied indexes are all highlighted with SuperLuminova, producing a blue light emission, thus making reading of the time easier even in the deep dark depths. Furthermore, a diver needs to know that the watch is functioning all the time and hence the center disc, which also carries the seconds indicator tip, acts as function control and showcases through its recesses a luminous base. With such confidence and visibility, one can now undertake the adventurous journeys planned.

Helium valve for professional use

As a diving watch, The Raider Harpoon rises up to meet the demands of a professional diver. It features a helium valve that provides the necessary pressure balance inside the watch essential for the diver after spending several days underwater.

For longer periods of work, professional divers are lowered in a diving bell. The air pressure inside is the same as the diving depth it is at, so that the diver can always leave the bell without needing any time to adapt. As the bell is filled with an oxygen and helium mixture, during the overpressure at depth, tiny helium atoms from the ambient air can penetrate the diver’s watch.

Once the work under water is complete, the diving bell is raised to the surface again with the diver inside it. The pressure level in the bell is continuously adjusted to that of the surroundings as this process takes place. If now pressure is not equalized inside the watch – in the same way as in the bell – the watch glass could pop out due to the imbalance created. To prevent this, the helium atoms that have penetrated must be released again. In the Harpoon this is achieved with the special outlet valve developed for the purpose

To guarantee secure operation and avoid confusion, the crown for the helium valve as well as the one for manual winding of the automatic movement and setting the time, are positioned at a good distance from one another: at 2 and 4 o’clock respectively.

Inspired by legendary role models

With its brilliant functionality and innovative technology, the Harpoon rightfully takes its place in a long line of watches from Favre-Leuba, which have earned their place in the history of watchmaking. The legendary brand has always set high standards, particularly in the area of diving watches, with the Bathy of 1968 – the first mechanical watch that not only displayed dive time but also the dive depth.

The unmistakable shape and bold design confirms that the DNA of the new Raider Harpoon belongs to the Favre-Leuba brand and has been skillfully translated into the design of today. The bezel – this seemingly simple design component boasts a special detail when observed: it’s not just another circular functional element but rather a finely wrought Tetradecagon, which creates a strong and distinctive look of the new Favre-Leuba collection. The case – a bow drawn from lug to lug, just like a bridge running over time, is interpreted in a contemporary manner and shares the enthralling contrast of brushed and polished surfaces. With its impressive 46 mm diameter, the bold Raider Harpoon immediately catches the eye. The case back is screwed in place to ensure that it’s always perfectly aligned – a precision that conveys no detail is ever too small at Favre-Leuba.

Be rest assured that the team has not forgotten to add the antireflective coating on the sapphire crystal for improved visibility nor the special diving extension of the folding safety clasp required for those who conquer the depths of our planet. Choose between a stainless steel metal bracelet or the sporty rubber one for the explorations.

When every minute counts, who one needs the most is a reliable companion to turn to and if that companion lets them also own a piece of history that few can boast of, be rest assured a new relationship is sure to be found there.